Critical connection to jobs and training through Hawaii is Hiring

From UH News, July 27, 2020

Unemployed Hawaiʻi residents, recent graduates and those seeking a career change now have a website with tools and programs that can lead them to their next steps. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi unveiled Hawaii is Hiring to connect Hawaiʻi residents to jobs, training and career navigation, with critical support from the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges.

When launched on July 22, more than 16,000 jobs were available across the state. Top positions included retail salesperson, network and systems administrator and security guard.

“We are committed to helping our Hawaiʻi residents with the education, training and career navigation they need to better their lives, especially during these difficult times,” said UH President David Lassner. “Our UH Community Colleges’ data, resources and tools are helping to power the Hawaii is Hiring site, providing up-to-date information on in-demand jobs as well as the UH programs that can help people achieve their career goals.”

Hawaii is Hiring includes overviews of 10 of Hawaiʻi’s in-demand industries that are forecasted for growth and that offer living wage jobs. These industries, that are important to diversify Hawaiʻi’s economy, include technology, healthcare and natural resources.

Jobseekers can find short-term certificate programs in Hawaiʻi that will help them gain new skills and be prepared for a different career in as little as three months. They can also explore earn- and-learn opportunities such as internships and apprenticeships that provide workers of all ages with opportunities to gain new skills to re-enter the workforce. And Hawaii is Hiring also provides information about medium- and longer-term degree opportunities focused on the industries at UH campuses.

“Due to COVID-19, nearly 100,000 Hawaiʻi residents are currently looking for work. And as expanded unemployment ends, need will only grow,” Sherry Menor-McNamara, Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi president and CEO, said. “The Chamber is committed to helping these individuals find new employment and prepare for career paths that align with Hawaiʻi’s economy of the future. Searching for a new career, especially amid economic uncertainty, can be overwhelming. We’re proud that Hawaii Is Hiring will lead our friends, families and neighbors to new opportunities.”

Hawaii Is Hiring also connects jobseekers to UHCCs’ Hawaii Career Explorer tool for more detailed information about jobs in Hawaiʻi and to identify career pathways that fit with their interests. An earlier version of Hawaiʻi Career Explorer, called the Sector Mapping Tool, won the 2017 Bernice Joseph Award from the Western Alliance of Community College Academic Leaders in recognition of its innovation, problem-solving capability and potential for impact and replicability.

Hawaii Is Hiring was founded with the support of the Hawaii Workforce Development Council, American Savings Bank, Anthology Marketing Group, Hawaiʻi Executive Collaborative, Library Creative, UH Community Colleges and Upspring Digital.

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Related UH News story: National recognition for UH-developed online tool connecting jobs and academic programs, April 23, 2017

KITV: Hawaii is Hiring website lists more than 17,000 job openings across state